Saturday, January 24, 2009

For at least a year or two, I have been among the many that have followed and supported Barack O’bama. I have taken great interest in the man, his campaign and what he stands for. Since he became our 44th President I have felt “obliged” to acknowledge his election and the impact he has made, not only here at home, but globally.

While clicking away at my keyboard trying to conjure up an eloquent and fitting homage, I think my sense of obligation has somewhat stamped out the fire that I feel I should duly possess. I’ve been perplexed as to why my excitement is muted. Perhaps it’s because the man and his presidency are so complex and his role as our new Commander in Chief so gravely important to the well-being of our nation as a whole. The sheer enormity of problems facing our nation is demoralizing and overwhelming. We have been without respectable, solid, wise and visible leadership for a discouraging length of time.

Regardless, embers of enthusiasm still glow within me. In my own little way, I feel a kind of duty to congratulate and share my outspoken support for President O’bama. He deserves it, and we deserve a new lease on life through him.

Now the real work begins; the true test of the man, his Cabinet and citizens at large. I’m daunted at the tasks at hand. After all the festive hoopla, I’ve reined in my grandiose expectations and hope. Reality has taken hold and I’ve adjusted my outlook to a more realistic and befitting long haul perception. The problem ridden state of our union… our war on terrorism, our broken economy, the dismal and ever worsening job market, substandard health care, feeble education, energy and conservation programs have all been left unattended for so long that their failings have grown to almost insurmountable proportions.

We didn’t catch the cancer early… A more invasive, long term treatment is necessary to loosen and rid ourselves of its grip, and in the process, we will be left weak and vulnerable. I do believe it will get worse before it gets better, and I do believe we have no other choice but to remain positive and optimistic. It’s very important to recognize baby steps and small victories for that is how we will beat this thing.

Today while reading the news I noticed an article about President O’bama by my favorite and most respected political analyst on CNN, David Gergen.

…he said, “America at the moment is in a highly celebratory mood, as it should be. The man, the moment, and his message of hope all came together beautifully on Tuesday. But we should brace ourselves: we will need every bit of the energy, unity and goodwill of the past few days to get us through the coming months.”

So you naysayer’s out there, shame on you. For shame “Americans Against O’bama”, “Nobama” and the like. Now is not the time for ignorance, bias and stubborn ways, habitually clinging to old school thoughts and habits. Now is a time for unity and support; not unfounded criticism of an untried president. Now is a time for community action, change and brotherhood; not bitter partisan politics, racial bias and personal irresponsibility.

Now is indeed the time for change, but change begins within each of us at the most basic level. “I” am the building block of change and “We” are its foundation. Barack O’bama is the President of the United States, not Merlin. He is taking on a job that not many of us would dare to sacrifice and commit ourselves to.

We all have a stake in what is going on around us and one man alone cannot be expected to be a wizard and save our sorry asses all by himself. “We” got ourselves into this mess... Now “We” need to work together to get ourselves out of it. We should be thankful that someone stepped up in these trying times and offered to put himself on the line in order to lead us.

Monday, January 19, 2009

For some time, I’ve had an urge to start up a blog spot. I haven’t up until now because it’s always felt like a daunting exercise in futility, accompanied with a responsibility to be enlightened, factual, just and non-judgmental. I fight an all pervasive feeling that my one voice will count for little and be lost among the many.

But then, I decided I’m missing the point and by doing so, missing out. I told myself that it’s a free-spirited enterprise, embrace it. Go ahead and say what you wish no matter how trivial, emotional, deep or out there… just do it for heaven sake because it’s fun to write and share.

… uh huh.

Seriously, why do we blog? Is it to satisfy a creative urge? Are we selling ourselves? Is it just a medium to vent and make our opinions known? In some cases, is it the proverbial “cry for help”? Do we share a desire to be understood, or is blogging merely a means to an end in order to attract attention for whatever the reason? Do blogger's share a need to be heard by the masses when one good ear isn’t sufficient? I think it’s more about tossing bits of ourselves out there as a way of being part of the Universe at large.

I questioned what it is I want to say here. Let's face it, depending on what we choose to post, by writing in a public forum we reflect who we are as a person; we take a stand. It requires a bit of courage to publicly reveal our opinions and beliefs, our likes and dislikes. It’s documented. There is a sense of distinct vulnerability in this process as we show our true colors through words. No matter what, we ultimately cannot hide behind our words. The person we are leech's out around the verboseness. Nevertheless, I think it's human to gravitate towards being recognized and known.

My intentions are good. However impotent, I do not wish to clog the system any more than it is with pointless ramblings that no one cares to discover. I care very much to share something substantial and meaningful. As a byproduct of creative ventilation, I would love to hit upon and contribute a bit of clarity and insight amidst life's confusion... maybe connect in some way to the chain of humanity, substantiating that we aren't alone; that I'm not alone feeling like a castaway stranded with only Wilson to talk to.

... that being said, I shall attempt to let go of preconceived notions, boundaries and self-imposed rules. It’s going to be a hit and miss endeavor; but hopefully, every now and then I’ll come up with something halfway intelligent and interesting to share. It sure would be swell to actually be constructive and provide a good read… we shall see. The only thing I can promise is my blog will be a crazy quilt of musings and a mish-mosh of shiny things that have caught my eye.